High level committee to probe policeman murder case

Port Blair, Mar 26 (UNI) Amidst charges of manipulation in investigation, the Andaman and Nicobar Police today announced formation of a high level committee of five senior officers to investigate the recent murder case of a police head constable in Andaman.

''The five-member committee consists of three officers of Deputy Superintendent of Police(Dy.S.P) rank and two officers of Station Head Officer (SHO) rank,'' Mr Ashok Chand, Superintendent of Police of Andaman, told UNI.

The team would be headed by the SP himself, who is an IPS ranked officer, as it was demanded by the family members of the victim.

While Andaman and Nicobar Police have already announced ex-gratia and other benefits to the victim's family, they suspect some foul play in the investigation of the murder case.

G Shaji, the head constable, was murdered on March 20 by oil smugglers when the policeman was trying to seize a dinghy, involved in transfer of HSD oil from a government run ferry boat illegally.

Though the police have arrested two prime accused and six others for interrogation, family members of the victim demanded launching of a foolproof FIR.

When asked regarding ''unnecessary arrests'' made by the police since last few days, the SP said the police would take action against only those who were involved in the murder case.

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